Gordon Klassen Knew What He Wanted and the Architectural and Building Engineering Technology Diploma Program was His First Step
Gordon Klassen had a clear vision: buildings. "Building design became a passion, and still is," he says.
Currently the owner of his own architectural firm and a member of the Architectural Institute of BC, Gordon’s vocation was built on the foundation that BCIT is renowned for – "piles of information and experience."
With early beginnings in the construction industry, Gordon’s desire to explore building design led him to BCIT’s Architectural and Building Engineering Technology diploma program. "It grounds you in the technical aspect of putting buildings together," says Gordon.
Gordon however, is humble and quick to give credit where it’s deserved – to BCIT. He tributes his success in-part to the strong work ethic instilled in him while studying and working on the program’s "intense" course-load and demanding individual and group projects.
For Gordon though, his memories of BCIT reach beyond the classroom. He fondly recalls lunch-time chats with fellow students in which they pondered how they were going to make it through. But low and behold, they did. And then some.
When determining his post-secondary options, Gordon knew that regardless of whether he pursued a degree, a BCIT education would enable him to pursue his career. Since his years at BCIT, Gordon has furthered his education by obtaining his Masters degree with distinction in Architecture and his Bachelors degree in Environmental Studies. At the end of the day however, Gordon says that his BCIT diploma dramatically helped open the door to his preferred university.
Today, Gordon is principal at Site Lines Architecture Inc. in Fort Langley, an architectural firm experienced in many building types including commercial and industrial, institutional, multi-family residential, and single-family residential – evidence that Gordon is at the pinnacle of his career, and has made his building dream a reality.